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Tru Tech Re-Opening Virginia Door Plant

Deciding it was the "right time and the right place," Tru Tech Doors is re-opening a Fredericksburg, Va., door manufacturing facility previously operated by Therma Tru Doors, states John Careri, owner of the Canadian door manuafcturer.

Ontario-based Tru Tech plans to start with about 40 workers from the Therma Tru operation to manufacture steel edge doors and steel frames, and eventually hopes to bring as many of the former 200 employees back as possible. The Virginia plant is expected to begin full production by July 1.

Careri originally traveled to the facility to look at some of the existing equipment being offered by an auctioneer. He was "very impressed" by the employees in the plant, however, and opted to set up his U.S. operations there instead.

Tru Tech has been expanding its marketing activities in the U.S. for some time, and already has an existing customer base here, he notes. "The current market created some concerns about opening up a new operation, but it also created this opportunity. We've been looking for the right opportunity to establish a U.S. headquarters," he explains. Along with opening up the new facility, it is planning to expand its sales force in the coming months.